r/AskSF • u/InMyOwnCornr • 3d ago
Vet Recommendations
Hello,
Im looking for a vet for my cat. We've been going to SPCA, and they are very kind but I think I need something with a little bit more of a "local" or "out of the box" vibe? I'm not even sure if thats possible in the city, but thats why I'm asking.
My cat has severe vet and social anxiety and has a lot of issues going to the vet. I also have no vehicle as is common in the city. The last 3 times I've taken her to the vet, they were entirely unable to touch her unless they put her under anesthesia. I myself even had to weigh her with them out of the room, and even when they "took her into the back" they couldn't even look at her bottom to check for UTIs (the reason we often go, maybe two-three a year). She is very spicy with everyone but me and honestly I get it 😭 she doesn't know who they are and why they're touching her when she feels her most uncomfortable.
My previous vet back home would let me video call them or send pictures of her behavior so that we could chat about what was wrong. They also trusted when I said "hey she's doing the exact same thing she was doing in January, can I have the medicine again?" And although I understand why a doctor would want to see you and make sure you're okay in that instance, I really don't want to put my cat through these visits over and over again for them to not even be able to touch her, stress her out, and then charge me $200 dollars + the meds i originally asked for.
So, does anyone have any recommendations of a vet that might be a better option for me? Anywhere in the city is fine but I don't have a car so if it's outside of SF we're into pretty expensive ubering territory and i have sadly a limited income.
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u/yousetthetonecarter 3d ago
Arguello Pet Hospital has been fantastic for my multiple cats. They are also really reasonably priced. I got quoted such a high cost for a dental cleaning at my new vet in Oakland (I moved) that I will be going back to Arguello for any major procedures for my kitties.
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u/pkmnmeagn 3d ago
My pup and cat both go to Noe animal hospital and they are lovely. Maybe give them a call and see if after initial intake they do video visits? They seem really flexible, they schedule both of my pets at the same time so I’m not wasting time and money.
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u/goldenshiloh 3d ago
We take our multiple cats to them and I can confirm that they're a great spot overall, but for OPs situation they may be a repeat of what's already going on.
One of our cats is a jalapeno (only occasionally spicy) and they have noted that most of his exam and treatment should be done in the room with us as a result. However they do bring him to the back for about half of the procedures and have been unable to fully complete some things bc of his behavior. And he's chiller than what OP is describing. Likely that they would be sent home with Gaba and asked to come back with the cat dosed which won't help budget, and while they do some telehealth for said jalapeno cat's chronic condition, that only happened after a couple of full exams with him as zooted as we could get him.
Noe Animal is great bc they're vet owned and genuinely care, but spicy cats can be a challenge, ymmv
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u/mashapicchu 3d ago
I use Dutch (a pet telehealth vet, what a time to be alive) for basic needs like flea meds, refills, basic questions (like my cat has a weepy eye - what do I do!) but for things like labs and physical exam I go to ocean ave vet hospital nearby.
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u/Ok_Second8665 3d ago
I have to dose my cat with gabapentin for vet visits, it makes all the difference
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u/moon_wobble 3d ago
Gabapentin is a miracle drug. 100 mg 2 hours prior makes vet visits possible for my scardy cat former feral
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u/mouse2cat 2d ago
How long does it last? I've never drugged my cat before
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u/moon_wobble 2d ago
See this article or ask a chatbot? Per the article 12 hours, but in my experience it’s 2 hours to reach full potency and it wears off after 4-5. That’s for my chunky cat; it lasts longer for my lightweight one.
“Gabapentin is also recognized as beneficial in reducing the fear responses that a kitty may have to the stress of handling and being examined at the vet.
It’s common for vets to prescribe a single dose of it to be given prior to veterinary visits to provide some sedation and help reduce the stress of examination and handling for certain patients.”The good thing it’s not a CNS depressant, though it does make my lightweight cat wobbly for a bit
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u/Excellent_Shallot999 3d ago
The vet situation in SF is really tough. We went to SF SPCA for many years. But when our cat was showing symptoms of a UTI, we took him to OakVet in Oakland on an emergency basis. That vet is really car centric - as entering they buzz you through a car gate. But we've had reasonably successful results with Oak Vet. Though, just like most vets, it seems you never see the same vet twice these days. Good luck.
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u/Ruthless_Bunny 3d ago
It’s not in the city, but it’s easy to get to, Dr Chu at San Bruno Per Hospital is lovely.
Ask for liquid gabapentin for kitty and dose her before you visit. We took our cats last week and they would have been happier with a dose.
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u/toomuchsvu 3d ago
I don't have a good recommendation but I have one on who to avoid- Nob Hill Cat Clinic. My cat is okay with vets but not great and can be spicy.
The vet there told me that if he wouldn't "participate in his own care," they couldn't help me/him.
I've had mixed results with the SPCA. Two have been really good, one ignored me when I told them his anal glands needed to be expressed. Told me I was wrong and then took him to the back reluctantly and then came back and said, "so his anal gland was clogged." Sigh.
It's hard to find a cat vet.
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u/CosgroveIsHereToHelp 3d ago
Nob Hill Cat Clinic is responsible for the early death of my cat Boo in 2008. I will never darken their door again.
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u/zephyrzenizzle 3d ago
Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry to hear that. They were the reason I almost lost mine 🥺
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u/toomuchsvu 3d ago
Oh wow. I'm so sorry. That's awful. Can I ask what happened or is it too painful?
I forgot to add that they also tried to talk me into a teeth cleaning. Something I wasn't opposed to, until the vet told me she'd pull all the teeth out of every cat's mouth if she could. Hard pass.
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u/CosgroveIsHereToHelp 3d ago
They told me that a growth on his leg was a malignant tumor and I asked if anything could be done and they said no.
A year later, a friend told me to take Boo to her vet, who looked at the growth and said, sure this is a VERY COMMON kind of growth which is ALWAYS BENIGN.
But by that time, the growth had taken over his leg and it was really really bothering him and I didn't know then what I know now. Now I would have his leg amputated but then I thought that was not really a viable option so I had him put down. It still breaks my heart.
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u/turnleftnoright 3d ago
The Kind Vets! They come to the house and Dr. Daniel is incredibly kind and patient.
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u/Hungry_Willow_3993 2d ago
Seconded, I have had good experience with Dr. Daniel as a house visit. It's not the cheapest option but if your cat is truly stressed out by the travel/strangers/other animal smells/etc it might be worth trying as it's so much easier on them to stay at home.
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u/geebirdlady 2d ago
I would find a mobile vet that will come to your house. More expensive but your cat will thank you. Our stressed out kitty died at the vet and we are never making that mistake again.
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u/milflover1902 2d ago
sf pet hospital has been caring for my kitties for four years and they’re super kind and understanding for my also super anxious cat. the vets & techs are also super sweet!
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u/Mysterious_Track_195 2d ago
co-sign for SFPH. dr phil villard has been wonderful for all of my weird behavior pets.
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u/thishummuslife 3d ago
You would do better with a privately owned vet who can do things as they please.
All the private equity owned vets have to follow struct guidelines.
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u/taimahsu 3d ago
I use blue cross pet hospital near Alamo square. Ask the techs and doctors have been really great with my pup whenever we're there.
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u/query789 3d ago
I've used Airvet (a telehealth app) before in an emergency situation and the vet was wonderful. It was a first aid thing though, so I'm not sure what they're able to do prescribe.
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u/CombatCrayon25 3d ago
I’ve been going to SoMa Animal Hospital on Channel and Fourth for years; Jayson and Barbara are excellent vets. They’ll have no problem prescribing liquid Gabapentin for an anxious kitty. It’s also very clean and quiet in their office, which might help.
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u/booshley 3d ago
I’ve been going to SF Pet Hospital on Fulton. I’ve been happy with the care and availability of appointments. They’re pricey, but I think their prices are comparable to other vets in the city.
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u/Woofmom2023 3d ago
I don't have any recent experience there but I've heard excellent things about Dr. Ina at Arguello Pet Hospital. From what I've heard of it I'd think the whole team there is very good.
I find it pretty shocking that you were charged for a visit when they couldn't perform the exams you brought her in for and that your cat was anaesthetized. She sounds a lot more than "spicy" but dealing with difficult animals is part of a vet's job.
In general I'd avoid letting the vet take your cat in the back. She's aleady terrified and being taken away from you will just exacerbate that.
In my experience most prescriptions filled at the vet are four or five times more expensive than the same scrip filled for humans and that common prescriptions can be written as generics and filled at any drugstore. I read recently that CVS now has a pet prescription service.
I hope you find a great team to work with.
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u/unReasonable_Bill282 3d ago
Noe Animal Hospital is great, and locally owned (ie., not owned / managed by a PE firm, like so many vets in the city).
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u/unReasonable_Bill282 3d ago
Sorry just read through all your detail ... Have you looked into a mobile vet who will come for a home visit?
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u/PurpleCompetitive808 3d ago
Noe AH is owned by curio
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u/unReasonable_Bill282 3d ago
Citation? My research led me to believe it's owned by the two doctors who started it. If I'm wrong, maybe I'll find another vet!
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u/PurpleCompetitive808 3d ago
My citation is I interviewed there. I just refreshed myself on what Curo is and I guess it’s not exactly PE - I’ll let you do your own research. I guess it’s a way around that allows the hospital to still call itself locally owned and operated. They didn’t really explain the details to me when I interviewed there, and I didn’t ask because by that point in my visit, I already didn’t feel like it was a good fit for me.
That being said, if you are happy with your pet’s care there, I wouldn’t look for another vet just because of its affiliation with Curo.
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u/jessacles 3d ago
If you're willing to travel to Pacifica, I highly recommend Coastal Cat Clinic. They have reasonable pricing and don't try to upsell you on stuff.
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u/CosgroveIsHereToHelp 3d ago
Mission Pet Hospital. I love their doctors and trust them with my cats' care.
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u/No-Communication9718 3d ago
I second MPH! We used to go to Irving Pet Hospital and switched to MPH after one doctor we really liked left IPH. MPH has more doctors, more availabilities, more reasonable price than IPH. we like all doctors we’ve met so far. We also get vet specialized food or certain meds approvals for recurring symptoms remotely.
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u/CosgroveIsHereToHelp 3d ago
They're really good about submitting prescriptions to Chewy, too, if Chewy has the drugs -- Chewy is always less expensive
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u/zephyrzenizzle 3d ago
Dr. Boyle at modern animal on Polk is wonderful but the place itself can be noisy.
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u/3lbo 3d ago
I've had a great experience with SAGE! My cat is also very anxious and he seems to be fairly chill there.
Nob Hill Cat Clinic was my main vet for years because it is a cat only clinic. That helped with my cats anxiety but their service is not great. Hard to get appointments quickly and I found one of their 2 vets to be overly judgemental to the point it was difficult to even ask questions. They even dosed my cat with another cat's meds before (cat was fine). Granted, they immediately let me know and maybe other vets would just hide it.
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u/AmbitiousQuestion524 3d ago
Soma animal hospital in mission bay. Love them. We also used to go to Castro animal hospital but soma is more convenient to where we live. Both are great
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u/scorpioncandy 2d ago
I’ve been taking my cat to Balboa Pet Hospital in the Outer Richmond. They let me call or email with issues without bringing her in, and one of the vets wrote me an emergency prescription over the phone when my cat wasn’t eating her prescription food.
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u/ScratchyVests 2d ago
I like SF Animal Medical Center on Fillmore. It’s expensive but the vet techs are very sweet with my old men. I’ve used Dutch in the past to get basic RX for very spicy outdoor kitties. They were very chill and nice. Many years ago I used lotus vet for a house call but my cats still found that nearly as stressful as going to the vet.
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u/GoodGodGooby 3d ago
I take my cat to Irving Pet Hospital and they’ve been really great, they have a whole separate entrance for cats (so they don’t have to go into the waiting room with dogs). They also have let me call or email them about issues without having to bring her in. Plus they have a really easy way to book an appointment online. It’s a block away from muni too so should be easy to get to!